Chapter 556: Ghost Car

　　"Aiyo aiyo—"

　　Helpless against Hu Zi's grip, Qiao Tiejun's face contorted in pain as half his body crumpled downward.

　　"Big brother, big brother, let's talk this through..."

　　"Talk? You want this? How's this? Enough for you?" Hu Zi sneered, increasing the pressure.

　　"Big brother! I was wrong! Please let go, aiyo aiyo..."

　　Qiao Tiejun howled like a wounded animal.

　　"Apologize." Lu Fei's voice cut like ice.

　　"I'm sorry! Dad! Yan'er! I was wrong! I'll never dare again! Make him stop..."

　　Qiao Tiejun collapsed to his knees, immediately begging for mercy through his apologies.

　　No dignity.

　　"Make him get lost!" Fourth Master Xing pressed a hand to his chest, gasping with difficulty.

　　Xing Chunyan turned her face away.

　　Neither father nor daughter could bear to look at this scoundrel a moment longer.

　　Lu Fei nodded at Hu Zi.

　　"Tiger Lord's warning you - if you ever bother Fourth Master or Big Sister again, I'll fucking cripple you!" Hu Zi glared ferociously at Qiao Tiejun's stubbled face.

　　"Never again! Never again!""

　　Hu Zi flung him away like garbage. Clutching his injured hand, the man scrambled up, shot Fourth Master Xing and his daughter a venomous look, and fled the hospital room.

　　Fourth Master Xing leaned back against the pillow, breathing heavily.

　　"Dad, are you alright?" Xing Chunyan asked worriedly, patting her father's back.

　　Fourth Master Xing weakly shook his head, a bitter smile appearing on his sallow face.

　　"Young Lu, you've witnessed our family's shame. My Xiaoyan was born under an unlucky star to meet such a beast!"

　　"Don't say that, Fourth Master. Falling for the wrong person isn't your fault."

　　"When I was healthier, I could still protect Xiaoyan. Now I don't have many days left..."

　　"Dad! Don't talk like that!" Xing Chunyan sternly interrupted her father.

　　"Alright, no more gloomy talk!" Fourth Master Xing smiled at his daughter. "Yan'er, step outside for a moment. I have a few words for our guests."

　　"But you should rest..."

　　"It's fine. Just a few words. It's rare to have friends from the jianghu come visit me. This old man's heart is glad."

　　"Then make it quick."

　　Xing Chunyan threw several concerned glances at her father before obediently exiting the hospital room.

　　Fourth Master Xing gazed reluctantly at his daughter's retreating figure, took a deep breath, and turned to Lu Fei: 'Young Lu, I want to ask a favor. If you agree, I'll tell you how to find River Laoye.'

　　'Fourth Master, I would agree even without your condition,' Lu Fei replied earnestly.

　　He already guessed what Fourth Master Xing wanted to request.

　　'My Little Yan is my only daughter. She's my greatest worry.' Fourth Master Xing's expression turned grave. 'Young Lu, I hope that bastard surnamed Qiao won't reappear, at least until my little granddaughter comes of age!'

　　'Rest assured, Fourth Master! As long as Sinisterium Pawnshop exists, no one will bully Sister Xing and her daughter.'

　　Lu Fei nodded solemnly.

　　Fourth Master Xing was about the same age as his grandfather. He couldn't bear to see an elder in such circumstances.

　　'Good! Good!' The tension finally melted from Fourth Master Xing's face. 'They say Sinisterium Pawnshop people are heartless, but I see differently! Meeting you in my final days is our blessing.'

　　He then called his daughter back, instructing her to retrieve a small box from their luggage.

　　Inside lay a soggy bus ticket.

　　Identical to the ticket the client had given Lu Fei.

　　'Young Lu, you must have heard about Bus Route 44.' Fourth Master Xing's voice deepened.

　　'They say it was discontinued, yet still appears at stops.' Lu Fei nodded.

　　'That bus has become a ghost vehicle. River Laoye hasn't claimed enough souls - how would he stop? This ticket came from a victim's family. With this, you can board that ghost bus.'

　　With trembling hands, Fourth Master Xing placed the damp ticket in Lu Fei's palm.

　　Understanding dawned: 'You mean boarding that ghost bus will lead me to River Laoye?'

　　'The only way I know.'

　　'That's enough, Fourth Master.'

　　Lu Fei accepted the ticket.

　　Fourth Master Xing exhaled deeply and collapsed wearily onto his bed, supported by his daughter.

　　"Kid, you must come back safe and sound."

　　"I will, Fourth Master."

　　Fourth Master Xing slowly closed his eyes.

　　He had spoken too much today and was utterly exhausted.

　　Lu Fei quietly placed a stack of cash under the pillow before taking his leave.

　　Shortly after he and Hu Zi stepped out of the ward, they heard Xing Chunyan crying out for doctors.

　　"Safe journey, old friend."

　　Lu Fei heaved a long sigh and left the hospital.

　　Returning to Antique Street.

　　Lu Fei first contacted private investigator Brother Liang, entrusting him with handling Qiao Tiejun.

　　Having been a former policeman, Brother Liang had plenty of methods to deal with such scum.

　　Then.

　　He placed two soggy train tickets on the counter, stared at them for a moment, then dialed Jing Jian's number.

　　This job might be too much to handle alone - he needed backup.

　　"Brother Jing, I've got good business for you."

　　"I'll believe you when pigs fly!"

　　Jing Jian hung up immediately.

　　But two minutes later, he called back.

　　"Spit it out. What's the matter?"

　　"Changed your mind so soon?"

　　"You think I enjoy this? You keep bringing me business, and I keep owing you favors!" Jing Jian's tone was one of helpless resignation, as if he'd boarded a pirate ship against his will. "You're doing this on purpose, aren't you? Every time you introduce business, there's always something you need from me afterward!"

　　"Am I that kind of person? It's just coincidence!" Lu Fei chuckled. "Did that actress really contact you? How did it go?"

　　It seemed the ancient opera costumes had made an impression. Otherwise, Bai Yuyan's friend wouldn't have sought out Jing Jian.

　　"She said she wants to try buying a peace charm first."

　　"How much did you charge her?"

　　"Two hundred."

　　Lu Fei fell silent.

　　"You're such a damn genius!"

　　Then they got down to business.

　　"You've heard about the urban legend of Bus No.44, right?" Lu Fei briefly explained the situation. "This River Lord is definitely a major demon. If we capture it, we'll get demon elixir. With another elixir, would you still be getting beaten up like this?"

　　"Your bullshit theories again!" Jing Jian frowned. "Is this River Lord comparable to the Fish Demon of Fuxian Lake? We captured the fish demon on land. To find the River Lord, we'd have to go into the river. The underwater world is completely different from dry land."

　　"What's there to fear? Have you forgotten? We possess the ultimate tool for underwater travel." Lu Fei patted his shoulder.

　　Jing Jian paused: "The dragon scales?"

　　"Exactly! Didn't you obtain those dragon scales when you accompanied me to Balong Mountain? When have you ever come back empty-handed from our trips?" Lu Fei grinned. "We've got two bus tickets. This mission needs you specifically - who else has dragon scales?"

　　Jing Jian remained silent.

　　Though reluctant to admit it, Jing Jian knew Lu Fei spoke truth. His fortunes had only improved after meeting Lu Fei.

　　Even if Lu Fei was a shrewd businessman, Jing Jian had never truly suffered losses.

　　"When do we leave?"

　　"Let me prepare some supplies first. Wait for my notice."

　　Later, Lu Fei contacted Xu Bei and purchased two bottles of healing elixirs through him.

　　The association has masters of alchemy, and their external fees are quite high. Of course, Xu Bei only charged Lu Fei the cost price.

　　Although they had dragon scales, no one knew exactly what the underwater situation was like, so they had to proceed with caution.

　　Once everything was ready, Lu Fei informed Jing Jian.

　　"Brother Jing, it's time to depart!"